A COOKLEY hairdresser is celebrating 45 years of hairdressing in the village on the same day she marks her 60th birthday.

Pamela Poxon has been running her salon, Pam's Hairstylists, for the past 30 years and after forming a loyal following has vowed not to retire yet.

The Lionsfield Road hairdresser started out in the profession at the tender age of 14.

She said: "I took my first job as a trainee in the salon at 15 but was cutting my father's hair from the age of 14 and have been doing it ever since."

Mrs Poxon went on to work in Cookley at the age of 18. After the departure of two managers, she was asked if she wanted to take on the lease of the salon.

Thirty years on, Mrs Poxon will celebrate both her 60th birthday and 45th anniversary in hairdressing on Tuesday, July 4.

She said: "I have lots of loyal customers, including a 93-year-old woman who comes in every week. Unfortunately, I lost my husband when I was 50 and, tragically, I lost my son four and a half years ago. Without the salon and the customers I don't know what I would have done.

"Many of them have asked what they are going to do when I retire - but I have no plans to, just yet. I will keep going as long as I can."